11BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK

An outstanding energy efficient

eco house in the village of Stow

designed for family living . . .

29 C

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Once an important place in the woollen and agricultural industries in the 19th century, modernday Stow is a peaceful village within easy commuting distance of Edinburgh and Galashiels- potentially a property hotspot as it is about to have a new railway station on the BordersRailway, set to open later in the year. Interestingly, it will replace the railway station opened in1848, which was closed during the Beeching era in 1969.

One of the village’s newest properties to come on the market is an architect-designed ecohouse with an elevated setting that provides stunning views across and beyond the village.

WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERTY . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC12

Completed in 2010 by the present owners, this substantialfamily home’s orientation is designed to maximise solar gainand reduce running costs through a combination of electricitygenerating solar PV panels, under-floor heating powered by aground source heat pump and a predominantly glazed frontagethat incorporates three covered terraces with glass balustrades.As the electricity generated virtually covers the amount used,the result is annual fuel bills that are practically zero – apowerful selling point on its own.

However, this home’s appeal is far more wide ranging. Asa family home it works superbly well on every level, withabundant space to host family get-togethers and entertain, butalso on a day-to-day basis enabling family members to enjoytheir own space and privacy.

Built into a hill, it is a deceptively spacious property withaccommodation spread over two levels. The ground floor layoutincludes a large L-shaped hallway in direct line of sight with oneof the terraces to give an almost unobstructed view of thecountryside.

Off the hall is a glass-fronted sitting room with additionalvaulted Velux windows and access to a covered terrace andbalcony that leads into a fabulous 18ft dining-size fitted kitchenwith glass doors to another covered terrace at the side of thehouse – perfect for informal meals outdoors during the summermonths. Completing this level is a luxuriously appointed masterbedroom suite with a 13ft en suite spa bathroom (also fully tiledshower area), fully fitted walk-in dressing room – and access tothe central terrace in addition to having a pull-down ladder toa floored attic storage space.

The lower ground floor reveals a 21ft living room- also with access to a decked covered terrace- sizeable fitted utility/laundry room that could bea second kitchen if required, partly tiled familybathroom with vanity storage/basin and over-bathshower, and three further double bedrooms, thesmallest of which could equally be a study ornursery. All three bedrooms have fitted wardrobes,one also has an attractive en suite shower room.

One of the village’snewest propertiesthis architectdesigned eco house is builton an elevatedsetting

The fabulous 18ft dining-sizekitchen has glass doors to acovered terrace – perfect forentertaining outdoors duringthe summer

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The devil is in the detail and this house has plentyof detail. The dining kitchen is extremely wellequipped with timeless white units topped withsolid wood worktops, while appliances include astainless steel Stoves range cooker and overheadchimney extractor, Belfast sink with pull-out rinsetap, fridge freezer and dishwasher. Finishingtouches include a cream ceramic tiled floor andattractive tiled splashbacks.

Outside there is off-road parking for up to fourvehicles, while the gardens have been landscapedto ensure minimal maintenance, with well stockedshrubs and flower beds, paved patios/barbecuearea, mature trees and plenty of space forchildren to play.

Two of the covered terraces as well as thebalcony have artificial grass flooring laid, while thethird terrace is decked – under the side terrace isanother covered section housing a small gardenshed. Another eco-friendly feature is anunderground water tank that captures rainwaterfor recycling via outside taps.

Complementing this property’s family appeal isa setting within an active village community thatoffers a good variety of local facilities, including amodern primary school and a new health centreand dispensary.

Stow is a village that offers a tranquil and morelaid-back pace of life in contrast to Galashiels,seven miles to the south, and Edinburgh,approximately 25 miles north. It also conveys asense of the past – there has been a church in thevillage since the 7th century although the presentchurch, St Mary of Wedale, dates from 1876 andfeatures a 140ft high clock tower. Stow also hasa rare example of a packhorse bridge, built inthe 1650s.

As family homes and locations go, this eco houseis hard to beat.

29 CockholmCrescent, Stow

The luxuriously appointedmaster bedroom suitehas a 13ft en-suite spabathroom, fully fitted walk-in dressing room – andaccess to the centralterrace

BSPC Featured Property

29 Cockholm Crescent, Stow, TD1 2RHGuide Price £385,000

Details on: Page 14